Photos: World’s biggest crocodile farms in Thailand

Jul 03, 2017 15:41 IST

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Thailand is home to some of the world’s biggest crocodile farms, where tourists can see the giant reptiles lounging in the hot sun, chomping on chicken, or swarming in emerald green pools.According to figures from the Thai department of fisheries, some 1.2 million crocodiles are kept on more than 1,000 farms in Thailand.Some are equipped with slaughterhouses and tanneries to produce luxury products. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters )

Sri Ayuthaya is registered with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), allowing it to legally export products made from the critically endangered Siamese freshwater crocodile, including to top buyer China.

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Crocodiles are seen at a Crocodile Farm in Ayutthaya province, Thailand.

Crocodile meat is sold for as much as 300 baht per kg (2.2 lb). The bile and blood of the reptile, made into pills because they are believed to have health benefits, are worth 40,000 baht and 500 baht per kg, respectively.

Workers process crocodile meat at a slaughterhouse on the outskirts of Bangkok. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

The industry has been facing a setback as exports of Thai crocodile leather products fell more than 60 percent in 2016 to 13 million baht ($382,578) from 34 million baht ($1.00 million) in 2015, commerce ministry figures show. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

A zoo performer reacts as he puts his head between the jaws of a crocodile during a performance for tourists at Sriracha Tiger Zoo. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

A Chinese tourist tries on a jacket made from crocodile skin at Sriracha Crocodile Farm in Chonburi province, Thailand. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

about the gallery

Thailand is the largest exporter of farmed crocodiles in the world, where tourists can see the giant creatures lounging in the sun, chomping on chicken, or swarmed in emerald green pools. Some 1.2 million crocodiles are kept on more than 1,000 farms in Thailand, according to figures from the Thai department of fisheries. Some are equipped with slaughterhouses and tanneries to produce luxury products.